The launch featured a raffle, people got to take free urban garden seeds home, refreshments, and singer Sebastian Vale also attended the event.

From early 2014, the team of volunteers who stayed on from the former Thank the Forces shop have been contributing their energies toward the decoration and revamp of the shop.

Organisers said the shop has been transformed while still keeping and enhancing all the desired services that the shop already provided which proved popular with customers.

The Hailsham Trust will support a team of volunteers to manage the Community Corner service and aim to offer affordable second-hand goods, refreshments, information, and local sign-posting services to residents. Community Corner will raise funds for local community projects to be managed by Hailsham Trust.

John Cornish, Chair of Hailsham Trust, said: “We have an outstanding group of volunteers who have given so many of their hours for nothing in return to make Community Corner ready for the launch date. Their hearts are definitely with the local community.”

Shirley Smith, Community Corner Volunteer Manager, added: “We are so excited to be open again and with our new look. We really hope that everyone is as thrilled as we are with the improvements to the shop and it was an honour not only to meet but also to share tea and cake with the Mayor. Things are only going to keep on improving as the final touches are still to come.”

The Hailsham Trust’s mission is to achieve community regeneration through integrated voluntary sector action. The organisation aims to provide support services in seven core areas including Children and Families, Young People, Black and Minority Ethnic Communities, Employability and Training, Healthy Lifestyles, Wellbeing and Community Activities.

If you would like to volunteer in the shop, contact Jenny Mace on 01323 446404 or email info@hailshamtrust.org.uk. For more information please visit www.hailshamtrust.org.uk.